It’s no wonder Street Watch groups are springing up across the borough in response to rising crime and dramatically falling police numbers, with volunteer members of the public on patrol instead.
Double digit increases in crime here in the last year have hit salubrious towns and underprivileged neighbourhoods.
We echo the words of Street Watch member and councillor Laura McCarthy who chillingly says: “Almost every resident I speak to has either been the victim of crime in the last 12 months or is aware of one nearby.”
She and the PCC are also right that such community schemes can provide “eyes and ears”, but should never be a substitute for policing.
For many, it feels that is already the reality.
